Life in a Tudor House: Burghley House Tour KS1

What can a 500-year-old house tell us about the people who once lived there?

Led by a costumed guide, pupils explore Burghley’s historic rooms and hunt for clues in the spaces, portraits and objects around them. They’ll discover William Cecil, the man who built Burghley, uncover his connections with Queen Elizabeth I and think about the very different lives of wealthy Tudor families and the servants who worked for them.

With stories, questions and plenty to spot along the way, the House itself becomes part of the adventure. 

What pupils do

• Join a guided tour of Burghley House led by a costumed educator.
• Explore rooms linked to the Tudor era including the Great Hall and Queen Elizabeth's bedroom.
• Observe portraits and artefacts to learn about life in Tudor England.
• Ask and answer questions throughout the tour to increase understanding. 

What to expect

• A mainly walking session with opportunities to stop, observe and discuss throughout the tour.
• Pupils are encouraged to ask questions and share their ideas.
• Delivered in groups of up to 30 pupils.
• The session lasts approximately 45 minutes.
• The session is delivered at an age-appropriate level for Key Stage 1 pupils.
• The session can be adapted to suit pupils' knowledge and engagement. 

SEND & accessibility

• There are stairs to and from Burghley House with a chairlift available where required.
• This is a guided walking tour through the House, with limited seating available.
• Pupils explore the House alongside other visitors, making this a calmer and quieter learning environment.
• The House contains many historic objects and collections, and accompanying adults may be asked to support pupils throughout the visit.
• The House can be a busy sensory environment. Pupils are welcome to take a short break with an accompanying adult whenever needed, and the session can be adapted where possible to support individual sensory and access needs.